Only valid for active forum users. Active means at least 30 postings within the last 30 days (no spam postings). This will automatically being checked at www.starbike.com shopping basket so make sure that you are logged in at the WW board!If there does not appear a WW discount position when you check out you do not have enough postings!

R5/CA owners and other friends...This morning on my trainer, the seatpost clamp on my CA snapped (POW!) when I sat upright on the bike. I called a local dealer and they are chasing warranty info. Some questions in case anyone knows:- is the seatpost collar the same size (internally) on all the R series these days?- I heard (and remember reading) that the CA collar was special. My LBS was thinking that too - not certain. I imagine it was thinner/lighter. Can anyone confirm?- I heard (and it's alluded to here http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?pag ... 11&minor=8) that the standard R5 (and R3?) collar was upgraded/replaced with a new model at some point. The link above says "newer 6nm clamp". My clamp was rated at 4.5nm. What was the standard R5 clamp rated at before the 6nm variant?

My preferred remediations:1 - Cervelo says the 4.5nm superlight CA clamp was upgraded to some 5.5nm equally lightweight neato piece they are overnighting to me right now.2 - All the clamps are interchangeable; Cervelo overnights me an original 4.5nm unit, you guys give me some good advice (I'm thinking carbon paste would work here since the seatpost is aluminum (thompson masterpiece) while the frame is carbon at the point of contact) and I go with it, but I also buy the new 6nm standard/beefier unit for backup (no I wont carry it on rides!)3 - The clamps are interchangeable and Cervelo et al recommend just using the beefier one.I weigh 76kg/168lb - maybe I'm heavier than any test riders!?

One thing I do is put some clear coat round my seatpost so that the seatpost is a tight fit .Then use carbon paste and you will hardly have to tighten the clamp to secure the post so it does not move. Depending on your post/frame size you may have to put a couple of coats .

That's good advice (clearcoat). I'm going to start with carbon paste. I didn't use it there initially because the alum seatpost and alum clamp together made me dispatch the idea, but on deeper consideration of course there is the carbon part of the frame sandwiched in there that is making the actual contact, so I will use it. I think the general loosened-state will be tight enough to do like that, but if not, the clearcoat sounds like the ticket to build it up subtly.

As for the CA on the trainer.. yes, it's fine. I use a towel to avoid corrosion up front, and I use a trainer skewer of course.. and a trainer wheel for that matter.. so there is really very little of the bike stressed. That said, I've decided to build up the smashed R3 frame I replaced for a full-time trainer bike, so once that is done there wont be much more need to have the CA on.

The camp for 2011 an newer R-series frames in indeed different...back side has flat section to fit the contour of the end of seat tube where clamp is installed (in other words it won't fit on the older round tubes on pre-2011 R-series frames). Whether the clamp on R%CA is different?...I don't know. You could simply call Cervelo directly and I am sure their tech support guys will help you. Lastly, you will want to lather up your post with plenty of carbon paste in order to fill the gaps between seatpost and frame, and allow for less torque on the seat clamp (remember the torque value number printed on the clamp is MAX torque not recommended torque...apply only the torque needed to fix your seatpost under the max torque value.EM3

perullo wrote:R5/CA owners and other friends...This morning on my trainer, the seatpost clamp on my CA snapped (POW!) when I sat upright on the bike. I called a local dealer and they are chasing warranty info. Some questions in case anyone knows:- is the seatpost collar the same size (internally) on all the R series these days?- I heard (and remember reading) that the CA collar was special. My LBS was thinking that too - not certain. I imagine it was thinner/lighter. Can anyone confirm?- I heard (and it's alluded to here http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?pag ... 11&minor=8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) that the standard R5 (and R3?) collar was upgraded/replaced with a new model at some point. The link above says "newer 6nm clamp". My clamp was rated at 4.5nm. What was the standard R5 clamp rated at before the 6nm variant?

My preferred remediations:1 - Cervelo says the 4.5nm superlight CA clamp was upgraded to some 5.5nm equally lightweight neato piece they are overnighting to me right now.2 - All the clamps are interchangeable; Cervelo overnights me an original 4.5nm unit, you guys give me some good advice (I'm thinking carbon paste would work here since the seatpost is aluminum (thompson masterpiece) while the frame is carbon at the point of contact) and I go with it, but I also buy the new 6nm standard/beefier unit for backup (no I wont carry it on rides!)3 - The clamps are interchangeable and Cervelo et al recommend just using the beefier one.I weigh 76kg/168lb - maybe I'm heavier than any test riders!?

Thanks for any advice

Cervelo will over night you nothing. Hate to break it to you. But I can't think of another bike company of any size that would be over nighting you anything either.

Clamps are different.

- Zipp rims will break if you look at them too hard- R-Sys wheels will spontaneously explode- The ZG crankset will never, ever exist- Everyone needs Lightweights, even if they're fat and old- Parts actually made of metal are SO 10 years ago

I can't find the reference, but I'm fairly sure I saw a report that measurements show riding a trainer is not more stress than riding outside. Not that I'd recommending riding an R5-CA indoors if there's an alternative.

perullo wrote:R5/CA owners and other friends...This morning on my trainer, the seatpost clamp on my CA snapped (POW!) when I sat upright on the bike. I called a local dealer and they are chasing warranty info. Some questions in case anyone knows:- is the seatpost collar the same size (internally) on all the R series these days?- I heard (and remember reading) that the CA collar was special. My LBS was thinking that too - not certain. I imagine it was thinner/lighter. Can anyone confirm?- I heard (and it's alluded to here http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?pag ... 11&minor=8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) that the standard R5 (and R3?) collar was upgraded/replaced with a new model at some point. The link above says "newer 6nm clamp". My clamp was rated at 4.5nm. What was the standard R5 clamp rated at before the 6nm variant?

My preferred remediations:1 - Cervelo says the 4.5nm superlight CA clamp was upgraded to some 5.5nm equally lightweight neato piece they are overnighting to me right now.2 - All the clamps are interchangeable; Cervelo overnights me an original 4.5nm unit, you guys give me some good advice (I'm thinking carbon paste would work here since the seatpost is aluminum (thompson masterpiece) while the frame is carbon at the point of contact) and I go with it, but I also buy the new 6nm standard/beefier unit for backup (no I wont carry it on rides!)3 - The clamps are interchangeable and Cervelo et al recommend just using the beefier one.I weigh 76kg/168lb - maybe I'm heavier than any test riders!?

Thanks for any advice

Cervelo will over night you nothing. Hate to break it to you. But I can't think of another bike company of any size that would be over nighting you anything either.

Clamps are different.

They sure will. I broke a saddle clamp on my S5 and I got a new one the next day by courier.

The R5ca comes with a lighter weight version of the R series clamp. It says 4.5nm but can break at 4nm, possibly less. I had one break at 4nm and have replaced all of my clamps and friends clamps with the standard 6nm clamp. The 6nm clamps weigh an extra 5 grams if I remember correctly. I would not want to be out on the road and have a clamp break. My guess is that you would have a hard time getting another 4.5nm clamp. I did not hassle with the warranty; I just bought new R series clamps. I don’t remember how much they cost but it was not worth the hassle. The standard R series clamps, the newer one with the flat front, the one that fits 2011 & 2012 R5’s fits perfectly.

That's great info sedluk;thanks. I spoke to a lbs and they in-turn spoke to cervelo who shipped one out today. I'm not sure of the shipping speed but we will see. There was a little miscommunication and they ordered one I will pay for in addition to the free/warranty one. I meant to pay for a 6nm one; i'll see if I can swap the spare when it arrives.

djconnel wrote:I can't find the reference, but I'm fairly sure I saw a report that measurements show riding a trainer is not more stress than riding outside. Not that I'd recommending riding an R5-CA indoors if there's an alternative.

+1,

You are not going to damage a carbon fibre frame riding it on a turbo trainer. The stresses are well within the design limit of a frame.

Much more likely to damage a carbon fibre frame with a sudden deceleration such as hitting a deep pot hole or riding off a drop.

The only reason I wouldn't is that you risk damaging the finish on the frame.

The R5CA finish is so boring that some paint damage would be a good excuse to get something more exciting. Cervelo should warranty the paint, since sweat is sweat, whether created on the road or on the turbo trainer.

Is is a specific diameter to the CA frame (not 31. and you can't get other clamps? I would not be replacing with the same lightweight clamp if it had broken riding on a trainer unless you were riding with the form of a pornstar at the time. Maybe replace with something more substantial and give up that extra 10 grams? I only suggest as it would really suck to break it 80K from home.....

It's a 27.2 collar, and it seems the collars from all the late-model R series (R5, R5CA, and R3) are interchangeable. That said, the CA model is a little lighter/thinner as others have noted.

If everything had been entirely to spec, I would agree, Pete, and use a beefier collar I've concluded, however, that having it at 5nm versus the 4.5nm spec was the culprit, and I'm willing to try again at 4.5nm, using carbon paste to prevent the slippage I observed when I first ran it at 4.5. If it still slips, I'll go to a beefier collar so I can torque it a bit higher.

Incidentally, I pinged my local Cervelo shop yesterday and they reached out to Cervelo and got a very quick "let's get him a new one ASAP" reply - so that is great news. The only thing I didn't confirm is shipping speed.. but I am hoping to be back in action this week.